Automatic stoker.



No. 762,731. 'PATENTED JUNE 14, 1904.

J. R. LUCKEY.

AUTOMATIC STOKER.

APPLLULTION FILED JUNE 11. 1903.

NO MODEL, 4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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L/ase lac/(y wi t n Mom No. 762.731. PATENTED JUNE 14, 1904. J. R.LUOKEY- 7 AUTOMATIC STOKER.

APPLICATION FILED mm 11. 1903.

4 SHEETSSHI-IET 2.

N0 MODEL.

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v Aziorney N6. '762,731. PATENTED JUNE 14, 1904.

- A UTOMATIC STOKER.

APPLIQATION FILED JUNE 11. 1903. N0 MODEL. 4 SHEETS-SHEET'KS.

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No. 762,731. PATENTED JUNE 14, 1904.

- J. R. LUCKEY.

AUTOMATIC STOKER.

APPLIOATION FILED JUNE 11. 1903.

N0 MODEL. 4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

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' Enuenl'oz UNITED STATES Patented June 14, 1904.

PATENT OEEIcE.

JESSE R. LUCKEY, OF NORWOOD, OHIO.

AUTOMATIC STOKER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 762,731, dated June 14,1904. Application fileclJune 11, 1903. Serial No. 161,020. (No model.)

To all w/wm it may concern.-

Be it known that I, J ESSE R. LUCKEY, a citizen of the United States,residing at Norwood, (Post-Oflice Station H, Cincinnati,) in the countyof Hamilton and'State of Ohio, have invented new and usefulImprovementsin Automatic Stokers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to automatic stokers especially adapted forlocomotive and marine boilers, but also designed for connection withstationary plants and portable boilers.

The invention has for its object to provide an automatic stoker ofcompact form, so as to take up the least possible room in a cab of anengine, for example, and also to, be light as possible withoutsacrificing the requisite strength and Without burdening the same withcomplicated mechanism for feeding the fuel from the initialfeed-receiving hopper to and upon a grate-surface within the fire-box.

A further object of the invention is to so construct the frame and bodyof the stoker as to reduce to a minimum the liability of leakage ofsteam inthe cab, to reduce as far as possible the packing-joints, and tocut off the admission of cold air and the consequent reduction of heatand steam-pressure. a

A further object of the invention is to provide simple means for feedingthe fuel into the fire-box in small charges or quantities, combined withmeans operating automatically to throw such charges of fuel withvariable force, so that the fuel is delivered to every part of thefurnace-without any attention on the part of the enginemen.

With the above and other objects in view, the nature of which will morefully appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists in thenovel construction, combination,

and arrangement of parts, as hereinafter fully described, illustrated,and claimed.

1n the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 1s .a side elevation of anautomatic stoker constructed in accordance with the present inventionand shown arranged at the entrance to the fire-box. Fig. 2 is atop planview of the coal-chute. Fig. 3 is a view in elevation of the chutelooking toward that side which is fastened against the wall of thefire-box. Fig. 4 is a side view of the same. Fig. 5 reprevalve.

sents an end and plan view of the feeder or paddle-wheel. Fig. 6represents a plan and forward edge view of the distributing-plate withits fuel-spreading devices. Fig. 7 is a horizontal sectional view of thevariable-force admission-valve, its casing, and the nozzle. Fig. 8- is aplan view of the casing of the admission-valve. Fig. 9 is a side or endview of the same. Fig. 10 is a plan view of the nozzle-bridge. Fig. 11represents plan and end views of the admission-valve. Fig. 12 representsedge and plan views of the gland of the admission-valve. Fig. 13represents edge and plan views of the screw-plug of the admission- Fig.14 is a longitudinal vertical section through the complete device.

Like reference-numerals designate correspending parts in all figures ofthe drawings.

Referring to the drawings, 1 and 2 designate the upper and lowerportions of the water-leg of a locomotive fire-box, embracing thefire-box or fuel-door opening 3. The automatic stoker contemplated inthis invention comprises, essentially, a face-plate 4, which fitsagainst the front of the fire-box and around the opening 3, said platebeing bolted or otherwise firmly fastened to the fire-box, so as toprevent the escape of the gases of combustion, and in order to form aperfectly fluid-tight joint, packing 5, of asbestos, wool, or othermaterial, may be inserted between the meeting faces of the face-plateand waterleg, as shown in Fig. 1.

The frame of the stoker comprises two parallel sections, each comprisingan upwardly and forwardly inclining leg or member 6, a forwardly anddownwardly inclining arm or member 7, and a rearwardly-projecting arm ormember 8, which carries one of the bearings 9 forthe engine-shaft 10.Between the frame members referred to there is arranged a coal chute orcasing comprising side walls 11,;v1hich diverge toward the face-plate 4,being connected at the bottom by a cross-bar and'flange 12 and beingprovided at their forward edges with oppositely extending flanges 13, bymeans of which the coal chute or casing is bolted or otherwise securedto the face-plate 4. The flange 12 is also provided with openings toreceive bolts or other fasteners for securing the chute: or-casing tothe face-plate at a point beneath the fuelopening. The side walls 11 arealso connected at or near their rear edges by means of a cross-bar 14,formed with openings to receive bolts 15 for securing the casing andnozzle of the admission-valve, hereinafter described, to the coal chuteor casing. It will be noted that the top edges of the side walls 11 areinclined downward toward the front of the stoker and a shield orprotecting-plate 16 is mounted thereon for the purpose of preventing theheat from burning out the bottom of the hopper 17, which is locatedabove said shield or protecting-plate. The hopper 17 may be made of anydesired capacity to firmly hold the desired amount of fuel and is somounted and arranged that it may be lifted or detached for giving accessto the fuel-opening in order to rake or spread the fuel over the gratein the fire-box whenever necessary.

Beneath the bottom or discharge end of the hopper 17 there is arranged afeeder 18 in the form of a paddle-wheel, comprising a hollow cylindricalhub 19 and a series of wings or blades 20, radiating therefrom andservingunder the rotation of the feeder to catch the fuel as it fallsfrom the hopper and direct the same inward and downward upon thedistributing-plate, hereinafter described. The feeder or paddle-wheel ismounted upon a shaft 21, journaled in bearings 22, mounted on the frameof the stoker, as shown in Fig. 1, and upon one end of said shaft ismounted a gear-wheel 22, by means of which rotary motion is imparted tosaid feeder in a manner to be hereinafter described.

Arranged beneath and a little in advance of the feeder 18 is asubstantially cylindrical valve-casing 23, provided with an inwardly orforwardly projecting nozzle portion 24, the upper surface 25 of which isinclined, so as to cause any fuel resting thereon to gradually work itsway forward and drop in front of the mouth of the blast-nozzle. Thevalveeasing 23 is provided with a cylindrical-shaped chamber 26, inwhich is mounted a revolving variable-force admission-valve 27, the samebeing substantially cylindrical in shape to practically fill the chamber26 and provided at one end with a longitudinally-extending shaft 28,upon which is a gear-wheel 28, arranged in mesh with the gear 22 on thefeeder, and upon said shaft is also mounted a sprocketwheel 28", bymeans of which the valve and feeder are rotated. The inside end of thevalve 27 is open to receive steam and is provided with a circumferentialflange 29, which revolves in a correspondingly-shaped recess 30 in thatend of the casing. The recess 30 is closed at its outer end by means ofa screwplug 31, having a central bore 32 for the passage of steam, thesaid bore being threaded to receive the end of a steam-supply pipe 33,as shown in Fig. 7. The casing 23 is also provided at its opposite endwith a recess 34, into The nozzle 24 is provided with a shallow but widedischarge-opening 37, the end walls of which diverge in the direction ofdischarge for the purpose of allowing the steam to spread andcorrespondingly spread and scatter the charge of fuel deposited in frontof the nozzle. Arranged adjacent to the discharge end of the nozzle is anozzle-bridge 39, said bridge being in the form of a plate, as shown inFig. 10, and adjustable up and down across the discharge-throat of thenozzle by means of bolts or screws 40, which pass through slots 41,extending transversely of the nozzlebridge. By this means the size ofthe discharge-throat of the nozzle may be increased or diminished forthe purpose of varying the force of the feed.

42 designates what I terma distributingplate, which inclines upwardtoward the firebox and projects a suitable distance through thefuel-door and into the fire-box, as shown in Fig. 1. The upper surfaceof the distributing-plate 42 is arranged on a direct line with thebottom wall 43 of the nozzle 24, so as not to interrupt the force of thesteam-jet from the admission-valve. The admission-valve is provided witha series of eduction-ports 44, as shown in Fig. 11, and it will benoticed that said ports are of different sizes and eapacities. Bypreference three of such ports are employed, and, as shown in Fig. 11,one of the ports, for example, having a width equal to fifteen degreesof a circle, another twentyfive degrees, and the remaining portthirtyfive degrees, while the intervening bridges or parts between theports are each of a width equal to ninety-five degrees of a circle. Thesize and number of these ports may, however, be varied without departingfrom the principle of this invention. It will be now understood that astheadmission-valve is revolved the ports 44 are brought successivelyinto alinement with the nozzle-passage 43 and a jet of steam of variableforce, according to which port is brought into line with the passage 43,passes in the form of a blast out ofthe nozzle and catches up the coalor fuel deposited upon the distributing-plate and throws the same with aforce proportionate with the amount of blast directly into the fire-box.of the steam jets or blasts are so regulated by means of the size of theports 44 that one charge of fuel will be thrown to the farther end ofthe furnace, another charge to about the center of the furnace, andanother charge to the adjacent or near end of the furnace. To furtherassist in the distribution of the fuel over the grate-surface ofthe'fire-box, the distributing-plate is provided on its upper surfaceand near its discharge end with a plurality of spreaders 45, whichresemble ribs he force.

projecting upward from said plate, the ribs being thickest at theirrear'ends and tapering from thence downward to a point at their forwardends, as shown in Figs. 1 and 6. The spreaders 14 are preferably madeseparate from the plate L2 and secured thereto by means of two or morebolts 0r fasteners 45, which will permit the spreaders to be adjusted asto their angles so as to diverge the course of the fuel to a greater orless extent, according to the width or length or the other dimensions ofthe grate-surface. The spreaders are also preferably made to curvelengthwise, as shown in the plan view, Fig. 6, and they therefore act todirect a portion of the fuel to the sides and corners of the fire-box.By providing for the spreading of the steam jets or blasts and byproviding for the spreading of the fuel by means of the ribs 24c thefuel as it is thrown into the fire-box is thoroughly spread andscattered over the entire gratesurface, thus requiring no attention onthe part of the firemen.

, The automatic stoker also comprises an engine for drivingthe'operative parts thereof, the engine embodying a steam-cylinder 46,which is supplied with steam from the boiler, a piston-rod 47,cross-head 48, cross-head guide 49, and pitman 50, which connectswiththe engine-shaft 10, hereinabove referred to. From the engine-shaft 1Orotary motion is communicated by means of sprocket-chains to the shaft21 of the feeder or paddle-wheel and the shaft 28 of the admission-valveby means of the chain 29", which passes over a sprocket-wheel on theengine-shaft 10 and the sprocket wheel 28", as hereinbefore mentioned,said shafts being properly timed, so

that a charge of fuel is deposited in front of the nozzle 24 for eachblast or jet of steam furnished by the variable force of theadmission-valve. Steam is supplied to the enginecylinder 46 and thevalve 27 through a pipe 53, which communicates at one end with thesteam-boiler and at its lower end is divided into branches 54 and 55,the former being eonneeted to the engine-cylinder and the latter to theplug 31 at the end of the valve. Suitable valves 56 are provided in thepipes 54 and 55 to contract the flow ofsteam therethrou gh.

The stoker hereinabove described occupies very little space in the cabof a locomotive. It is also light without sacrificing strength. There ispractically no danger of leakage of steam or gases in the cab. Thefeeding mechanism is extremely simple and not liable to get out oforder, and the stoking is done without the necessity of opening up thefuel-door and admitting cold air to the furnace. The admission-valve isnicely balanced and runs with very little friction. The spreading ribson the distributing-plate may be adjusted to suit long or short, wide ornarrow fire-boxes. The upward inclination of the distributingplate andthe increase in width thereof as it approaches the fire-box permit thecoal to scatter and effect an even and perfect distribution of the same.By removing or lifting the hopper and shield or protecting-plate accessmay be had to the fire for slashing or rebuilding. The hopper may alsobe provided with a door 51 for the purpose of examining the condition ofthe fire in the furnace. The feeder with its wings or paddlesdistributes the coal on a level and directly in front of thenozzle-opening, to be thrown or discharged into the fire by the nextblast. Thus instead of the application of coal in scoops of fromfourteen to sixteen pounds, more or less, with the attend ant smotheringinfl uen ees, my stoker supplies the coal in quantities of a pound orless and so evenly that it is instantly ignited upon coming in contactwith the live coals, and there is therefore an absence of the attendantcooling influences. Neither is there danger of uneven firing on roughtracks or in rounding sharp curves, the stoker being rigidly fastened tothe boiler-head, and therefore being unaffected by violent plunges ofthe locomotive. The heated gases are not wasted from the fire-door tothe discomfiture of the fireman; nor is cold air allowed to enter andinjure the plates and flues,besides cooling or dampening the fire andreducing the temperature of the fire-box below the point of ignition ofthe most valuable gases and carbons. The direct line of discharge ofsteam from the valve and the concussion caused by the form and shape ofthe nozzle and the proportion of steam emitted at each of the threeports, besides the placing of each port in direct connection with theboilerpressure, insure an even and powerful force for the full width ofthe plate, clearing out the fuel each time and with small consumption ofsteam. The front end of the baseplate being the most forward part of thestoker, and that extending not as far as the inside plates of thefire-box, and the exhauststeam from the rotary valve above and theexhaust from the engine of the stoker entering the fire-box below thesame is protected from overheating to a red heat and burning out. \Vhilewith the scoop and plunger stokers the largest and heaviest lumps ofcoal are thrown farthest and are likely to strike and injure theflues,besides falling below them to a point in the fire-box where thereis the smallest igniting power, my stoker reverses this, the largestlumps being deposited nearest the door, where the heat is greatest andthe distillation of the gases the most thorough,and these are burned inpassingthrough a fire-box heated from one thousand to twelve hundreddegrees higher heat than is possible with the scoop. Better combustionis obtained, and as there is no furnace-door to be opened there is notthe usual amount of carbons forced out through the flues to lodge in thesmoke-arch or sparks to escape from the sta'zk. By thorough combustion,a lack of smothering, and by raising and maintaining a high temperaturein the fire-box smoke is more thoroughly abated, thus especially adapting the Stoker for work in tunnels, through timber land, andlocalities where combustible material abounds.

Under the preferred embodiment of this invention the hopper is providedwith a false bottom 52, which is hinged at its forward edge to the bodyof the hopper, so that said false bottom may be lifted for giving accessto the door 51 in the rear slanting wall of the hopper. The fuelgravitates along the false bottom 52 and falls upon the paddles of thewheel 18, which revolves in the direction indicated by the arrow andfeeds the fuel forward in successive charges.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1. Anautomatic stoker comprising a hopper, a distributing-plate arrangedbeneath the hopper, a rotary feeder provided with wings or blades andinterposed between the hopper and distributing-plate, and acontinuouslyrotating variable-force valve for discharging the fuel fromthe distributing-plate into the fire-box.

2. An automatic stoker comprising a hopper, a distributing-platearranged to receive the fuel from the hopper, and a continuouslyrotatingvariable-force steam-admission valve arranged to discharge steam atintervals in line with the receiving-surface of the distributing-plate.

3. An automatic stoker comprising a hopper, a distributing-platearranged to receive the fuel from the hopper, a variable-forcesteam-admission valve arranged to discharge in line with thereceiving-surface of the distributing-plate, and one or morefueldeflecting ribs projecting from the receiving-surface of said plateand made adjustable as to their angles.

4. An automatic stoker comprising a hopper, a distributing-platearranged to receive the fuel therefrom, a steam-admission valve arrangedto discharge in line with the receiving-surface of thedistributing-plate, the nozzle connected with the casing of said valve,and a detachable nozzle-bridge for varying the size of the discharge endof the nozzle.

5. An automatic stoker comprising a hopper, a distributing-platearranged to receive the fuel from the hopper, a valve-casing providedwith a nozzle in line with the receivingsurface of thedistributing-plate, and a variable-force steam-admission valve providedwith ports of different capacities which are successively brought intoline with the nozzle.

6. An automatic stoker comprising a hopper, a distributing-platearranged to receive the fuel from the hopper, a valve-casing arrangedcontiguous to said distributing-plate and provided with adischarge-nozzle, and a variable-force steam-admission valve rotatablymounted in said casing and provided with eduction-ports of differentcapacities adapted to be successively brought into line with the nozzle,said ports being separated by bridges of equal width between the ports.

7 An automatic stoker comprising a hopper, a distributing-plate arrangedto receive the fuel therefrom, a valve-casing arranged contiguous tosaid plate and provided with a discharge-nozzle, and a rotarysteam-admission valve mounted in said casing and adapted in eachrevolution to emit steam in charges of different volume and force whichact with corresponding effect upon the fuel on the distributing-plate.

8. An automatic stoker comprising a hopper, a distributing-platearranged to receive the fuel from the hopper, a valve-casing arrangedcontiguous to the distributing-plate and provided With adischarge-nozzle, a rotary steam-admission valve mounted in said casingand provided with lateral eduction-ports of different capacities, andmeans for supplying steam to the end of said valve.

9. An automatic stoker comprising a hopper, a distributing-platearranged to receive the fuel therefrom, a valve-casing arrangedcontiguous to said plate and provided with a nozzle having a shallowpassage with flaring ends, means for varying the size of the dischargeend of said nozzle and a rotary steamadmission valve mounted in saidcasing.

10. An automatic stoker comprising a hopper, a coal chute or casinglocated beneath the hopper, a distributing-plate arranged to receive thefuel from the hopper extending through the coal chute or casing, meansfor delivering the fuel to and discharging the same from thedistributing-plate, and a shield or protecting-plate interposed betweenthe coal chute or casing and the hopper.

11. An automatic stoker comprisinga hopper, a distributing-platearranged to receive the fuel from the hopper, a variable-forcesteam-admission valve arranged to discharge in line with thereceiving-surface of the distributing-plate, deflecting-ribs pivoted onthe plate and means for adjusting said ribs on their pivots as to theirangles.

12. An automatic stoker comprisinga hopper, a distributing-platearranged to receive the fuel therefrom, a steam-admission valve arrangedto discharge in line with receivingsurface of the distributing -plate, anozzle through which said valve discharges, and means for varying thesize of the discharge end of the nozzle.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JESSE R. LUCKEY.

Vitnesses:

Josnrn PLANT, RoBT. W. THOMPSON.

